Avalanche forecast

Snoqualmie Pass

Northwest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New snow and extreme winds will transport snow further downslope and onto unusual aspects through Wednesday.  You're almost guaranteed a rough ride in any size avalanche given how many rocks and trees are still exposed even at upper elevations.  We're a long way from mid-winter conditions; take it slow as the early-season snowpack rebuilds. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    It's not a question of if new snow and extreme winds will build fresh slabs, but rather where.  Extreme winds and new snowfall tonight and Wednesday will cause erratic loading patterns, forming firm slabs downslope or atypical lee aspects and of different thicknesses.   Then there's the other prickly question of what the new falls on, bare ground or an existing smooth slope?  Any size avalanche may carry you through rough terrain and increase the chances for injury or worse. With ongoing wind transport expected, natural slab avalanches may release on steep lee slopes. 

    Once you enter terrain with enough snow to slide on, choose lower-angle or more sheltered terrain to lower your chances of triggering an avalanche in the new snow.  Upper elevations and northerly aspects generally carried more snow and continuous snow coverage heading into this storm.  

    If you encounter cracking in wind-stiffened/textured snow like in this photo from last winter, avoid nearby steep slopes. 

     

Avalanche Discussion

Up to 6" of snow likely accumulated above 5000' (potentially a bit more higher up) before temperatures warmed and snow turned to rain today.   Snow is patchy between 4000-5000' in the Alpental Valley, and nonexistent down low.  Even less snow is present in the far eastern/western parts of the zone.   But there's good news!  Winter begins its comeback tour later tonight and Wednesday, and the extended range forecast is hopeful. 

Avalanches are not the only or even the number #1 natural hazard you're likely to encounter.  If you head out into the mountains, please slow down and be aware of potential overlapping natural hazards: landslides, washouts, flooding, and downed trees.  It will take some time to fully catalog the changes in the landscape following our extended period of extreme weather.  

With the warm start to the 25-26 winter season, we have less snowpack information than usual to start daily forecast operations. For zones and elevation bands with less snow than needed for avalanche hazard, we will issue a forecast with No Rating. Anticipated avalanche and weather conditions will still be updated daily. NWAC will issue an avalanche danger rating for a zone when enough snow to produce avalanches has accumulated at middle and upper elevations.

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